Protection One Alarm Employees Speak Out

I am a Residential Security Consultant for Protection One and a retired Police Officer with over 20 years of law enforcement experience. Let me start off by apologizing on behalf of the company to those customers who's dealings were with consultants who were either new and uniformed, inept or just dishonest. Remember, it takes all kinds of people to make up this world.

All of the issues that I have read regarding the agreement are on the copy of the agreement. That being said, I know very few people read contracts before signing them. These complaints are common with all of the major alarm companies. I specifically let all of my potential customers know about the length of the agreement, the automatic renewal clause and that cancellation needs to be done in writing, 30 days before the end of the contract. I highlight these points on the agreement as I don't want to be accused of only being interested in making a fast buck. On the contrary, the employees that I work with are genuinely concerned with safeguarding homes and families. I have investigated thousands of burglaries, and there were two comments made by the victims that were common with all of them; "I feel so violated" and "I never thought it would happen to me". So, to those of you who are researching an alarm company to use, here are some questions to ask:

1) How long is the agreement for?
2) Is a shorter term available?
3) Will you increase the monthly rate at any time during the initial (1, 2, or 3 year) agreement? If so, how much?
4) How do I cancel my service, in detail?
5) How much is the early cancellation fee, if any for the initial term?
6) Will you automatically renew my contract and for how long?
7) How much is the early cancellation fee, if any for the renewal term?
8) How do I cancel before a new renewal term?
9) Do you charge more per month for fire monitoring? Carbon Monoxide? Panic/Medical?
10) If my home is alarmed and monitored by your company and I am still burglarized, do you provide any compensation for the loss? How much?
11) If I find that I have to move, can I take your services to my new home? What are the requirements? Do you provide any compensation or assistance?
12) If I have any questions or concerns about my system after installation, may I call you directly and inlist your assistance?

I know you can't please everyone, all of the time. But Protection One is the second largest security monitoring provider in the country with over a million customers. I work with other retired police officers who have even worked with the other major alarm companies (Brinks & ADT). They assure me Protection One is by far the best company with the consumers safety and satisfaction as a priority.

Remember, when it comes to providing for the safety and security of your home and family, it is better to be a year too soon, than a day too late!